NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League is officially in the books as the Heat won the title on Monday night, so it’s time to look at the top performers from the nearly two-week-long event. While most of the top picks from the 2024 NBA Draft participated, it was a handful of NBA players entering their second season that stole the show.
In particular, Jordan Miller from the Los Angeles Clippers and Jalen Wilson from the Brooklyn Nets stood out. Wilson earned official MVP honors by the NBA, but only was voted second-team all-summer league by the league.
Miller averaged 25.4 points in five games — the most of any player from Las Vegas who played in at least three contests — and Wilson wasn’t far behind, averaging 21.8 in five games. Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard and Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht were the leading scorers from the rookie class.
Not every top pick had a showing to remember in Las Vegas. The No. 2 overall pick from the 2024 draft class, Alex Sarr, averaged 5.5 points in four games for the Washington Wizards. While Sarr struggled on the offensive end, he did show promise on why he could be one of the top rookie defenders during the 2024-25 season.
With that in mind, here are CBS Sports’ All-Vegas Summer League teams, plus our MVP pick.
MVP: Jordan Miller, Los Angeles Clippers
Miller was the top scorer in Las Vegas and deservingly earned this honor. A Miami standout in college, Miller played a key role in helping the program reach the Final Four in 2023. After appearing in only eight games as a rookie for the Clippers, he could be in store for an extended look heading into Year 2. Miller scored at least 20 points in four games and had a 36-point outburst against the Denver Nuggets in the Clippers’ first game of the event. Miller shot 52.9% from the floor and knocked down eight of his 20 attempts from beyond the arc. Although the Clippers fell short of reaching the summer league title game, Miller showed why he could receive minutes this upcoming season.
All-Las Vegas Summer League first team
Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets
Sheppard has been the best rookie in his class during the Las Vegas Summer League. Sheppard was statistically the best 3-point shooter in this draft class, and although the numbers from Vegas weren’t great (5 of 18 from distance) his shot will translate in the NBA. One of the biggest concerns/knocks on his game during the pre-draft process was positional size, but he made up for it with his active hands, which resulted in him recording 11 steals in four games. It’s easy to make overreactions after watching players in the summer league, but there’s a real case that Sheppard should’ve gone higher in the draft. I’m curious what Sheppard’s role will be with the Rockets once the season starts, but he should be playing significant minutes — even if it’s off the bench. Regardless, it appears the Rockets found their point guard of the future.
Jalen Wilson, Brooklyn Nets
The former Kansas star found a second wind during his time in Las Vegas. Wilson averaged 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 43 games during his rookie campaign and has made strides to make him a candidate to be a top contributor for rebuilding Brooklyn squad. Wilson shined in Las Vegas and showed flashes of what made him so good at Kansas. With the Nets committed to rebuilding, Wilson should receive ample opportunities to increase his stock during a pivotal sophomore season in the league.
Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
The son of former NBA star Scottie Pippen stood out in Las Vegas. Pippen scored 29 points in a loss to the Heat in the summer league title game and likely would’ve won MVP honors if the Grizzlies finished the job. Pippen recorded a triple-double (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists) in a win over the Clippers on Monday. The younger Pippen will enter his third NBA season and will look to parlay some of the success he had on the court in Las Vegas to cracking the Grizzlies’ rotation.
Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat
Ware had one of the most impressive summer league showings of any non-lottery selection and played a huge role in helping the Heat win the summer league title. The No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft finished with a double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) in the title game. Ware scored at least 11 points in all eight summer league games in Las Vegas and at the California Classic. It appears the Heat landed a gem in the middle of the first round that can help the team right away in a backup role.
Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers
Clingan showed in summer league why he won’t have to play an ample amount of minutes to make an impact. Clingan was one of the best defensive anchors/rim protectors in Vegas and averaged 8.8 rebounds and 4.3 blocks in just under 26 minutes per game. Clingan should slot as the backup center in Portland behind DeAndre Ayton, which won’t be a bad thing for his long-term development. Another thing that impressed me with Clingan this week was his willingness to shoot the deep ball. He only made two total 3-pointers during his sophomore season at UConn and made three in Las Vegas.
If he can enhance his skills from the perimeter, it will greatly elevate his overall performance on the court.
**All-Las Vegas Summer League Second Team**
**Carlton Carrington, Washington Wizards**
There is a possibility that Carrington could have a standout rookie season with the Wizards, surpassing even the highly touted No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr. His impressive summer league outing against the Bucks showcased his versatility with 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Carrington’s ability to fill up the stat sheet was evident during his college career at Pitt, and it seems like the Wizards have discovered a hidden gem towards the end of the lottery.
**Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic**
Da Silva’s performance in the summer league demonstrated why he could be an immediate asset to a Magic team focused on winning now. Averaging 17.7 points, five rebounds, three assists, and 1.3 steals on 60.7% shooting, da Silva also showcased his outside shooting by making 7-of-17 attempts (58.8%) from beyond the arc in three games for Orlando. Selected at No. 18 overall after a stellar run at Colorado, da Silva is already proving to be a steal in the mid-first round.
**Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers**
Knecht faced challenges finding his rhythm during the Lakers’ first summer league appearance at the California Classic. Despite initial struggles, Knecht remained determined to improve his shooting accuracy. While his overall efficiency in Las Vegas was not exceptional, it marked a clear improvement from his previous performance in Northern California. Knecht’s proficiency in shotmaking makes him one of the most NBA-ready players in his class. Playing alongside a seasoned player like LeBron James, known for creating opportunities for shooters, should benefit Knecht. The fit between Knecht and the Lakers remains promising.
**Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls**
Buzelis played five games in Vegas and delivered a standout performance against the Warriors. He tallied 28 points, five rebounds, and two steals against the Dubs, consistently scoring in double digits in the other four matchups. Buzelis’ scoring versatility, whether through cuts, drives, spot-ups, or transition plays, was truly impressive. With the Bulls focusing on rebuilding, Buzelis is poised to receive significant playing time, positioning him as a top contender for Rookie of the Year.
**GG Jackson, Memphis Grizzlies**
Returning to Las Vegas, Jackson showcased even better performance than his previous summer league appearance. In the title game against Miami, Jackson recorded 28 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, maintaining a scoring streak of at least 16 points in all eight summer league games. Following an impressive rookie season, Jackson’s continued growth is a positive sign. With key players like Ja Morant and Desmond Bane healthy, Jackson could play a crucial role off the bench for Memphis. following sentence: “The cat chased the mouse around the room.”
The mouse was chased around the room by the cat.